Study Finds Humans Caught Tuna 42,000 Years Ago

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Humans were expert deep-sea fishermen as far back as 42,000 years ago, hauling in tuna, sharks and barracudas, new research indicates.

Fish appeared in the human diet about 1.9 million years ago. Early anglers waded into freshwater lakes and streams without the need for boats or complex tools. It wasn’t until later that humans decided to ply the ocean in search of fish.

The latest evidence comes from an excavation on the Southeast Asian island of East Timor, where remains of tuna and other deep-water fish were uncovered inside a cave. Using dating techniques, a team led by archaeologist Sue O’Connor of Australian National University determined the age to be 42,000 years old — making it the earliest evidence of ocean fishing.